The history of Spanish fashion is intrinsically linked to the name of Felicidad Duce Ripollés. She was a visionary woman who, almost a century ago, opened the doors of her school-workshop to promote the independence of other women and open the door to training that would allow them to improve her living conditions. Founded in 1928 in Barcelona, ??the Felicidad Duce school has become an emblem of Spanish fashion, a legacy that lives on in 2023, with her school currently managed by LCI Barcelona.
Felicidad Duce was born on March 7, 1907 in the Gracia neighborhood, and from an early age showed an interest in sewing and fashion, despite being self-taught in the subject. At the young age of 19, she decided to embark on her educational adventure, creating the school-workshop that would bear her name.
During its first years, the school played a fundamental role in the training of women who, due to the limitations of the time, lacked economic and vital independence. Felicidad Duce opened the doors to a new path for them, allowing them to achieve a level of training and emancipation that had previously been denied to them.
In addition to her contribution to fashion and the training of women, Felicidad Duce was recognized in the industry for her innovation, such as the creation of a metric system that allowed the lines marked on the body of each model to be applied to paper to obtain the ideal pattern. . Her visionary ideas in today’s fundamental areas, such as marketing and business acumen, highlight her legacy in the world of fashion.
Felicidad Duce’s legacy is not only reflected in the training of women but also in her contribution to the world of fashion. Big names in Spanish fashion, such as María Escoté and Juan Vidal, are alumni of the school, and her designs have reached internationally renowned figures, including Queen Letizia, Lady Gaga and Rosalía, among others.
In 2023, the Felicidad Duce school celebrates its 95 years of history in Barcelona, ??under the management of LCI Barcelona. According to Silvia Viudas, general director of LCI Barcelona, ??the school continues to maintain the same values ??that inspired it in its beginnings.
Currently, LCI Barcelona is in charge of keeping the school and its legacy alive. In 2023, they celebrate 10 years of operation in Catalonia and plan to open a new campus in the heart of innovation in Barcelona in 2024, after an investment that exceeds 35 million euros. According to Viudas, “keeping alive a project that is part of the recent history of our fashion is the best reward.”
The director of LCI Barcelona, ??managing and promoting the Duce school since 2013, does not hesitate to affirm that the name of Felicidad Duce is unforgettable in Spanish fashion. She “she was a pioneer and defender of both the professionalization of fashion and women’s freedom. In her time it was unthinkable and she achieved it.” 95 years after its creation, Felicidad Duce’s project is still alive, reminding everyone of the importance of independence, training and innovation in the world of Spanish fashion.
